Idioms

To make someone feel deep emotional pain, often by ending a relationship.

at the very start of the morning

someone who prefers beginning the day before most other people

to watch or look after someone or something carefully, often to make sure nothing goes wrong

Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.

a reasonable portion or a substantial amount of something, especially work or difficulties

Someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.

still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty

something whose answer or outcome is completely uncertain

usually or in most situations

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

to remember and consider something when making a decision

To do or say something that eases tension and gets people talking comfortably in an unfamiliar social situation.

to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away

to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end

to draw someone's notice or interest

to appear in one's thoughts or memory

to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored

to stop investing in a failing venture in order to avoid further loss

a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events

suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly

to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email

a full practice session of a process, done for real except in name

Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.

all members or items in a group, with no exceptions at all

to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority

an idea or piece of information worth thinking carefully about

temporarily, until circumstances change

to pause and reconsider a situation (step back), or develop an idea or action beyond its current point (step further)

unfavorable reporting or reputation in the media or among people

a subject that causes disagreement or argument between people

A clumsy person who causes damage or upset in a delicate situation.

an extremely serious or urgent matter

a guess or attempt with very little chance of success

affecting everyone or everything equally

To make a bad situation or an argument worse.

make an already bad situation worse by adding humiliation or further harm

to stay better prepared than others by anticipating future needs

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

requiring complete success or acceptance, with no partial alternative

everything is ready for an activity to begin

similar to; roughly in the style or manner of

equipped with a very large number of weapons and ready for conflict

By a fortunate coincidence, often introducing an unexpectedly helpful event.

unable to express yourself because an emotional or confusing moment leaves you speechless

so seriously ill or injured that death seems close

a thought or worry that you are vaguely aware of but not focusing on

immediately and with no hesitation when an opportunity or prompt appears

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed

a difficult situation in which someone must divide time, attention, or importance between competing needs

to prepare yourself and your resources for an approaching difficult situation

an action or situation that unleashes many unexpected and hard-to-control problems

an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted

A person who surprises everyone by showing unexpected talent or success.

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

a hard problem to solve or a hard person to convince

A dangerous person who pretends to be harmless or friendly.

honest, legal, and transparent

a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed

a hidden advantage kept in reserve

in a way that conflicts with what is usual or with someone's natural character

a competitive spiral in which rivals keep escalating their investment to stay ahead

if it becomes absolutely necessary, though the option is barely adequate

in strong disagreement or conflict with someone

without exception, especially when declaring something the best in its category

to make one naturally want to ask a particular question; (formally) to assume the very point being argued

people with no experience guiding others who have no experience

an uncontested market space with no direct competitors

to attempt something impossibly large or ambitious, especially by trying to solve every problem at once

building a company without outside investment, funding it from personal resources and revenue

born into a wealthy family

short-term financing that keeps a company afloat until a larger funding round closes

a clever, lively, attractive young person with strong social appeal

by whatever method is necessary, whether fair or unfair

to challenge someone to prove that their threat or claim is real